Means for teaching reading of the facial expressions which occur in speaking.



PATENTED APR. 28, 1903.. L. E. WARREN.

MEANS FOR TEACHING READING OF THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS WHICH OCCUR INSPEAKING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

10 MODEL.

dag/J PATENTED APR. 28, 1903.

L. E. WARREN.

MEANS FOR TEACHING READING OI THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS WHICH OCCUR INSPEAKING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEE'I' 2.

.10 MODEL.

J @MQQM m: nonms PETERS cc, PNOTD-UTHQ, WASHINGTON. u. a

PATENTED APR. 28, 1903.

L. E. WARREN. MEANS FOR TEACHING READING OF THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS WHICHOCCUR IN SPEAKING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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Tue wonms PETERS co. PnoYuumQ. WASHINGTON. o. c.

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LILLIE EGINTON WARREN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MEANS FOR TEACHING READING OF THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS WHICH OCCUR INSPEAKING.

$PEGIFIGATION-forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,484, dated April28, 1903. Application filed February 26,1902." Serial No. 95,794. (Nomodel.)

To ctZZ whom it may. concern:

Be it known that I, LILLIE EGINTON NAR- REN, acitizen of the UnitedStates, residing at New York city, State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Means for Teaching the Reading ofthe Facial Expressions which Occur in Speaking, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to, improved means for teaching the reading of thefacial expressions which occur in speaking. It assumes that the learnerunderstands the language and at some period of his life has heard itspoken, so that he retains in his memory the elementary sounds of whichthe words of the language are composed; and the object of my system isto teach him to associate these elementary or substantially elementarysounds with the special expression of the human face which invariablyaccompanies the utterance of such sounds. It includes a series ofpictures of the human face in which separately substan* tially everyexpression is shown which the face assumes in uttering the series ofelementary sounds used in speaking the language, and it also includeswith this series of pictures a series or schedule of characters, marks,or symbols, one for each picture and expression, each arbitrarycharacter referring to its appropriate picture. In this system as usedin teaching marks or symbols the characters or groups of three representwordsin the schedule in collocation with the Words which they represent,so that the learner looking at any given word in the schedule seestherewith the characters in proper or corresponding order whichrepresent the vocal elements of the word, and these charactersrepresenting the said elements refer him to the specific pictures whichshow the facial expression corresponding thereto and invariablyaccompanying the utterance of the sound which the symbol represents.Thus this invariable element of expression which accompanies utteranceof any vocal sound has its fixed relation to the elements of the printedword, and when these facial expressions and the syllable or soundsappropriate to every symbol specifically are fixed in mindthat is tosay, when the scholar has learned the lesson, when he knows what eachfacial expression means in terms of sounds guage.

composing words-he can read upon his face what the speaker is saying.Thus the eye translates into words the rapidly-occurring facialexpressions of the speaker just as the ear translates into words theswiftly-changing aerial vibrations which are caused by the speaker toact thereon. The observer taught by my system hears with his eyes justas another hears with his ears. I do not, as a matter of course, pretendto be the first to discover the meaning of a speaker by observing thechanging expressions of his face. I have herein presented only a methodor system and provided means whereby those who have wholly or materiallylost the power of hearing may certainly and completely learn to readsuch expressions.

In order that my method and the material or mechanical means usedtherein may be fully understood, I have explained the details thereof asapplied to the English lan- I have also illustrated these means in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents'a picture of thefacial expressions accompanying the utterance of letters w, wh, long andshort 00, and the appropriate mark 1 placed beneath the figure. Fig. 2represents that accompanying the utterance of consonants y, long e, andshort i with appropriate numeral 2. Fig. 3 represents expression ofbroad a, i, e, ah, and short 0 with appropriate mark 3. Fig. 4 showsexression accompan in letters f and V and the mark 4. Fig. 5 showsexpression of th and the mark 5 underneath. Fig. 6 shows expression ofsh, soft ch, soft g, and j and the mark 6 therefor. Fig. 7 showsexpression of letters p, b, and m and the mark 7. Fig. 8 showsexpression of letter l and its mark 8. Fig. 9 shows expression of lettern and its mark 9. Fig. 10 shows expression of r, or, and short u and theappropriate mark 10. Fig. 11 shows expression representing soundrepresented by letters aw and the mark l1 belonging thereto. Fig. 12illustrates expression of letters t and d and the appropriate mark 12below. Fig. 13 represents expression of short a and short e and has thenumeral 13.

Fig. 14 represents expression of k and g hard and ng and the mark 14therefor.

Figs. 15 and lo illustrate the expression ac-' companying the utteranceof long a. They have, respectively, the marks of lo and 15. Fig. 16shows the expression accompanying utterance of letters s and z and themark 16 therefor. Fig. 17 illustrates the collocation of letters and themarks appropriate thereto in proper order to repre-- sent the sounds ofa sentence hereinafter mentioned.

For sake of clearness I have hereinafter referred to the figures aspictures, with their appropriate marks.

There are more than forty distinct sounds in this language. I havediscovered that these sounds when uttered reveal themselves in seventeendistinct outward manifestations or facial expressions, and every one ofthese sounds is invariably accompanied by its appropriate specialexpression. These expressions are portrayed in as many pictures, whichare shown in the accompanying drawings. Every one of the pictures ofthese drawings has its peculiar arbitrary character. For thisidentification I prefer to use the Arabic numerals; but other charactersmay be used instead. These pictures constitute the facial alphabet,visible always on the face of the speaker, but represented in thepictures as means of instruction. They are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which the pictures representing the various expressionsfrom 1 to 16 are shown. They are herein referred to in order, togetherwith the schedule of sounds they represent indicated by the same numbersand the groups of numbers indicating words.

The first expression is shown in Fig. 1, which is marked 1. This is theexpression accompanying the utterance of the sounds represented by w,wh, long 00, and short 00, and Icall this the round mouth. Wherever inthe exercises the character 1 occurs the reader is directed to Fig. 1for illustration of the expression for that sound.

The second expression is in Fig. 2, the long mouth, as in uttering thesounds represented by letters consonant y, long e,and short i. Combiningthe two illustrations we take 1.2, representing we, and the reader,referring to pictures 1 and 2, will note the expresssion pertainingthereto. In like manner he may translate into expression the numbers2.1, representing you, and note the successive facial expressions. Thesehe may experiment upon by pronouncing the words before a glass,observing attentively the expressions on his own face.

The third expression, appearing in picture 3, shows the distinctive openmouth. This expression accompanies the utterance of the soundsrepresented by broad at'. e., ahand short 0. Combining for illustrationwe take 3.2, representing I, and

the reader,referring to the pictures 3 and 2 and watching his own facein the mirror, will see how these two expressions are combined when thussounding I.

The fourth expression, appearingin picture 4, shows the lower liptouching the upper teeth, as in uttering the sounds represent-ed by theletters f and v. Combining for illustration we take 4.2, representingfee, and the reader, referring to the pictures 4 and 2 and watching hisown face in the mirror, will see how these two expressions are combinedwhen forming this word.

The fifth expression,appearing in picture 5, shows the tongue justbetween the teeth, as in uttering the sound represented by the lettersth. Combining for illustration we take 5.2, representing thee, &c.

The sixth expression, appearing in picture 6, shows the lips inadistinctively-square appearance and slightly protruded, as in utteringthe sound represented by the letters sh, soft ch, soft g,and j. Forillustration we take 6.1, representing shoe, &c. In like manner also6.31-6.31, representing chow-chow.

The seventh expression shows the lips lightly closed, as in picture 7,and this expression accompanies the sounds represented by the letters p,b, and m.. For illustration we take 7.2, representing pea or be or me,850.

The eighth expression,appearingin picture 8, shows the point of thetongue touching the upper gum and the teeth somewhat separated, as inuttering the sound represented by the letter 1. For illustration we take8.3.2, representing lie, &c.

The ninth expression, appearing in picture 9, shows the entire edge ofthe tongue placed to the upper gum, with the teeth rather closetogether, as in uttering the sound represented by the letter n. Forillustration we take 9.3.1, representing now, due.

The tenth expression, appearing in picture 10, shows the lips in adistinctively-oval shape, with the corners of the lower lip and the chinslightly thrust forward. This expression accompanies the utterance ofthe sounds represented by the letter r, by ur, (whether accented orunaccented,) and by short u, (accented or unaccented.) For illustration,we take 10.1, representing rue, &c., in like manner also 4.10,representing fur, and also 4.10.9 representing fun.

The eleventh expression, appearing in picture 11, shows the lips in adistinctively-triangular shape, the lower lip forming the base of thetriangle. This expression accompanies the sound represented by theletters aw for illustration, 11.8 representing awl, &c. This expressioncombined with 2, thus 11.2 accompanies the sound represented by theletters 0y or oi --for illustration, 7.11.2 representing boy. Thisexpression again combined with 1, thus 11.1,

ICO

accompanies the sound represented by long o-for illustration, 1.11.1representing G woe.

The twelfth expression, appearing in picture 12, shows the lips andteeth in a position like to that in picture 9. If this expression befollowed by a slight downward jerk of the lower jaw, the face will showthe expression that accompanies the sounds represented by the letters tand d-for illustration, 1.2.12 representing wit, the.

The thirteenth expression, appearing in picture 13, shows the mouthopen, but not so widely as in picture 3, and shows the tongue prominentin the front of the mouth. This expression is always made quickly andaccompanies the utterance of the sounds represented by short a and shorte -for illustration, 8.13.12 representing lad, 850., in like manner also1.13.8 representing well.

The fourteenth expression, appearingin picture 14, shows a mouth moreorless open without any distinct peculiarities, though a drawing up ofthe muscles under the chin will be noticed. This expression accompaniesthe utterance of the sounds represented by the letters k, g (hard) andng-for illustration, 1.2.14 representing week, 850., in like manner also7.2.14 representing big anc 7.13.14, representing bang.

The fifteenth expression appearsin pictures 15 and 15". The mouth startswith an openposition and then relaxes. There is thus a double movement,which the pictures show by presenting the beginning (15%) and the end(15 of the expression. This expression accompanies the utterance of thesound represented by long a --for illustration, 7.15.14 representingbake, &c.

The sixteenth expression appearing in picture 16 shows the face with asomewhat smiling character, the muscles of the lips being strained andthe teeth close together. This expression accompanies the utterance ofthe sounds represented by the letters s and zf-for illustration, 16.15representing say, &c., in like manner also 16.2.8, representing zeal.

The fourteenth expression, followed by the sixteenth, accompanies theutterance of the sound represented by the letter xfor illustration,4.2.14.16 representing fix.

The expressions herein explained and only these are seen on the facewhen the words or sentences are sounded in the English language. Onesound, that represented by the letter h, has no expression of its own,its sole elfect being slightly to prolong the expression accompanyingthe following vowel sound.

I have shown in Fig. 17 of the drawings the sentence, What powerfulchains of circumstances, said the wise old chief, together with themarks appropriate to each expression properly located above the lettersand illustrating the expressions above described.

It is apparent that these illustrations might be extended to include anyword in the language, the same series of pictures shown herewith beingsufficient therefor and supplying the clue to any word.

I am aware that it is not new to use a series of cards bearing a seriesof facial expressions each in connection with its appropriate letter ofthe alphabet, as in the United States Patent of Kingma No. 660,225; butit will be observed that my system and apparatus difier from that ofKingma in this important respect: I do not apply the letters of thealphabet to each picture, but have adopted a more simple system andmeans in which the facial expression may represent a variety of lettersor combination of lettersas, for example, the expression shown in Fig.1represents w, wh, long 00, and short oo--and I attach to this moregeneralized system of pietures representing expressions arbitrary signs,which arbitrary signs may be placed in proper relation to any one of thevarious letters or combination of letters belonging to the particularexpression.

I claim as my invention-- An improved means for teaching the reading ofexpressions accompanying the utterance of speech, the same consisting ofa series of pictures of the human face, such pictures representingrespectively the various expressions occurring in the utterance of theelementary sounds composing words, said pictures bearing each itsappropriate arbitrary mark; in combination with a schedule of such markssingly or in groups, each of said marks or groups being in collocationwith the word, the element or elements of which are indicated by thesaid marks appropriate to the expressions they indicate, allsubstantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LILLIE EGINTON WARREN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD BARTLETT NITCHIE, BERNARD FARRELL.

